McConnell Golf began a two-year, $2 million improvement plan for the Greenville, N.C., property last October. Dining areas are being remodeled and restructured, while the pro shop and ballroom receive updates, and a boardroom will be added.
When Raleigh-based McConnell Golf purchased Brook Valley Country Club (BVCC) last October, it jumpstarted a two-year, $2 million capital improvement plan designed to transform the Greenville, N.C., property.
On March 20, BVCC members and select media will enjoy their first official look at the club’s facelift during a scheduled opening day and media sneak-peek. Greenville Mayor Allen Thomas will join McConnell Golf CEO John McConnell for a ribbon cutting, followed by ceremonial tee shots by four Advisory Board members.
The reopening was timed to allow members to enjoy pool season and children competing on BVCC’s “Barracudas” swim team, along with dining, golf, tennis and numerous other enjoyable family focused events. In the BVCC clubhouse, the dining areas are being remodeled and restructured for events and member gatherings.
The dining room will seat approximately 100 people—booths will be installed for tables to seat two people and groups of up to 20. The bar and lounge area will offer casual accommodations around a fireplace and a new snack bar, featured at the end of the dining room, will accommodate golfers at the turn, providing food and drinks with adjacent patio seating. In addition, a new covered porch is being added with all modern furniture and creature comforts.
The pro shop is being updated with a fresh new appearance, while all of the men’s and ladies restrooms on the main level are being fully remodeled. Hardwood floors are being installed throughout the main level of the club and accompanied by new tile and custom carpet. The ballroom is being carpeted for a softer look and new French doors are being installed allowing multiple events to take place at the same time.
One new addition to Brook Valley will be a boardroom for meetings featuring an impressive table with state-of-the art and teleconferencing capability.
Meanwhile, Brook Valley’s golf course and practice area are being renovated under the tutelage of Greensboro-based golf course architect Kris Spence. Brook Valley opened in 1966 featuring a layout designed by famed architect Ellis Maples. “With Brook Valley, we maintained our vision of purchasing clubs whose golf course was designed by a famous architect,” said McConnell Golf CEO John McConnell.
Using original Maples drawings, Spence’s work at Brook Valley includes bunkering and one green modification (No. 2), along with significant tree removal, a pond dredging and the relocation of a number of cart paths. Spence called Brook Valley an “out of the box” design for Maples, mostly due to its intricate cross bunkering.
“We are bringing the Ellis Maples bunkering back, as well as adding a few bunkers to modernize the golf course,” Spence said. “Brook Valley is a very nice mix of golf holes with a lot of variety. The par-5s in particular are some of the best three-shooters I’ve seen.”
Spence took the existing practice facility—which was too short and did not have the elements of a well-defined target—and increased the size by lengthening the practice tee itself.
“We put full construction under (the practice area) with drainage and laser leveling,” Spence said. “We added a short-game area between the practice tee and the clubhouse that includes a short-game green, a bunker and chipping fairway around it and also added a small warm-up green behind to the first tee box.
“I think everyone is going to be pleasantly surprised,” Spence said. “I’ve been approached by a lot of members during the construction period and they have a real love affair with the golf course.”
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